The airline was established in 1967 by Herb Kelleher[3] and adopted its current name (Southwest Airlines) in 1971.[4] The airline has more than 52,000 employees as of July 2016[update] and operates more than 3,900 departures a day during peak travel season.[5][6] As of 2014, it carried the most domestic passengers of any U.S. airline.[7] As of July 2016, Southwest Airlines has scheduled services to 98 destinations in the United States and seven additional countries with service to three airports in Cuba expected to begin later this year, subject to governmental approvals.

In 1966, Southwest Airlines was founded by Rollin King and Herbert Kelleher. In 1967, the company was incorporated as Air Southwest Company. It was not until 1971 that the airline began its first commercial flights; from Dallas Love Field. The same year the organization adopted the name Southwest Airlines. The expansion of flights for the enterprise started in 1975, to cities throughout the state of Texas. In 1978, Southwest began operating to neighboring southwestern states. Services to the Midwest, California, the East and the Southeast started in the 1990s.[8]

The company has employed humor in its advertising. Slogans include "Love Is Still Our Field," "Just Plane Smart," "The Somebody Else Up There Who Loves You," "You're Now Free To Move About The Country," "THE Low Fare Airline," "Grab your bag, It's On!" and "Welcome Aboard." The airline's current slogan is "Low fares. Nothing to hide."

In March 1992, shortly after Southwest started using the "Just Plane Smart" motto, Stevens Aviation, which had been using "Plane Smart" for its motto, advised Southwest that it was infringing on its trademark.[9][10]

Instead of a lawsuit, the CEOs for both companies staged an arm wrestling match. Held at the now-demolished Dallas Sportatorium (the famed wrestling facility) and set for two out of three rounds, the loser of each round was to pay $5,000 to the charity of his choice, with the winner gaining the use of the trademarked phrase. A promotional video was created showing the CEOs "training" for the bout (with CEO Herb Kelleher being helped up during a sit up where a cigarette and glass of whiskey (Wild Turkey 101) was waiting) and distributed among the employees and as a video press release along with the video of the match itself. Herb Kelleher lost the match for Southwest, with Stevens Aviation winning the rights to the phrase. Kurt Herwald, CEO of Stevens Aviation, immediately granted the use of "Just Plane Smart" to Southwest Airlines. The net result was both companies having use of the trademark, $15,000 going to charity and good publicity for both companies.[11]

Southwest Airlines is the official commercial airline of the Honor Flight Network.[12]Honor Flights are dedicated to bringing aging and ailing veterans to visit the national monuments in Washington, D.C., devoted to the wars in which they served.[13]

The Southwest Airlines headquarters is located on the grounds of Dallas Love Field in the Love Field neighborhood of Dallas, Texas.[5][14]

On September 17, 2012, Southwest broke ground on a new Training and Operational Support (TOPS) building.[15] The TOPS Building is across the street from its current headquarters building. The property includes a two-story, 100,000-square-foot operations building that could withstand an F3 tornado. It also includes a four-story, 392,000-square-foot office and training facility with two levels devoted to each function. The new facilities will house 24-hour coordination and maintenance operations, customer support and services, and training. BOKA Powell was the project architect. Manhattan Construction is the general contractor. The project was completed in late 2013, with occupancy beginning in 2014.

As of July 2016, Southwest Airlines has more than 52,000 employees.[16]

Gary C. Kelly is Chairman, President and CEO of Southwest Airlines. Kelly replaced former CEO Jim Parker on July 15, 2004 and assumed the title of "President" on July 15, 2008, replacing former President Colleen Barrett. In July 2008, Herb Kelleher resigned his position as Chairman. Colleen Barrett left her post on the Board of Directors and as Corporate Secretary in May 2008 and as President in July 2008. Both are still active employees of Southwest Airlines. Kelleher was President and CEO of Southwest from September 1981-June 2001.[17]

In contrast to low-cost competitor JetBlue Airways, where most employees are non-union, Southwest employees are generally members of a union. The Southwest Airline Pilots' Association, a union not affiliated with the Air Line Pilots Association, represents the airline's pilots.[18] The Aircraft Maintenance Technicians are represented by the Aircraft Mechanics Fraternal Association (AMFA).[19] Customer Service Agents and Reservation Agents are represented by the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers Union (IAM). Flight Dispatchers, Flight Attendants, Ramp agents and Operations agents are represented by the Transport Workers Union (TWU).

Southwest Airlines painted two aircraft to look like Orcas, with advertisements for SeaWorld. It was repainted to standard Southwest livery following their 26-year partnership.[128] Both N713SW, and N715SW have been repainted in the Heart livery.

Southwest has been a major inspiration to other low-cost carriers, and its business model has been repeated many times around the world. The competitive strategy combines high level of employee and aircraft productivity with low unit costs by reducing aircraft turn around time particularly at the gate.[22] Europe's EasyJet and Ryanair are two of the best known airlines to follow Southwest's business strategy in that continent. Other airlines with a business model based on Southwest's system include Canada's WestJet, Malaysia's AirAsia (the first and biggest LCC in Asia), India's IndiGo, Qantas's Jetstar (although Jetstar now operates three aircraft types), Philippines's Cebu Pacific, Thailand's Nok Air, Mexico's Volaris, Indonesia's Lion Air and Turkey's Pegasus Airlines. Although Southwest has been a major inspiration to many other airlines, including Ryanair, AirAsia, Lion Air and Jetstar, the management strategies, for example, of Ryanair, AirAsia, Lion Air and Jetstar differ significantly from those of Southwest.[22] All these different management strategies can be seen as means of differentiation from other competitors in order to gain competitive advantages.[23]

In 1991, a plan was made to connect the Texas Triangle (Houston – Dallas – Fort Worth – San Antonio) with a privately financed high speed train system that would quickly take passengers from one city to the next. This was the same model Southwest Airlines used 20 years earlier to break into the Texas market where it served the same cities.

Southwest Airlines, with the help of lobbyists, created legal barriers to prohibit the consortium from moving forward and the entire project was eventually scuttled in 1994, when the State of Texas withdrew the franchise.[24]

In 1997, Southwest and Icelandair entered into interline and marketing agreements allowing for joint fares, coordinated schedules, transfer of passenger luggage between the two airlines in Baltimore and connecting passengers between several U.S. cities and several European cities.[36] The frequent flyer programs were not included in the agreement. This arrangement lasted for several years but ended when Icelandair's service to BWI ended in January 2007.[37]

In a departure from its traditional "go it alone" strategy, Southwest entered into its first domestic codesharing arrangement with ATA, which enabled Southwest Airlines to serve ATA markets in Hawaii, Washington, D.C. and New York City.

At the time of ATA's demise in April 2008, the airline offered over 70 flights a week to Hawaii from Southwest's focus cities in PHX, LAS, LAX and OAK with connections available to many other cities across the United States. The ATA/Southwest codeshare was terminated when ATA filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy on April 3, 2008. Southwest ultimately acquired the operating certificate and some of the landing rights of ATA in the ensuing proceedings.[38]

On July 8, 2008, Southwest Airlines signed a codeshare agreement with WestJet of Canada, giving the two airlines the ability to sell seats on each other's flights.[39] Originally, the partnership was to be finalized by late 2009, but had been postponed due to economic conditions.[40]

On April 16, 2010, Southwest and WestJet airlines amicably agreed to terminate the implementation of a codeshare agreement between the two airlines.

Southwest signed its second international codeshare agreement on November 10, 2008, with Mexican low-cost carrier Volaris. The agreement allowed Southwest to sell tickets on Volaris flights.[41] However, on February 22, 2013, the connecting agreement was terminated. It was said to be mutual between the airlines. Most industry experts believe that the expansion of the subsidiary of Southwest, AirTran Airways, into more Mexican markets, as a main reason for the termination of the agreement.[42]

After acquiring AirTran Airways in 2011, Southwest began a codeshare agreement with AirTran on February 14, 2013. The agreement ended after AirTran became fully integrated into Southwest on December 28, 2014.

Since its inception Southwest Airlines has almost exclusively operated Boeing 737 aircraft (except for a brief period when it leased and flew some Boeing 727-200 aircraft). Southwest is the world's largest operator of the Boeing 737, was the launch customer of the 737-300, 737-500, and -700, and will be the launch customer of both the 737 MAX 7 and 737 MAX 8.

As of November 2016[update], the Southwest Airlines fleet consists of the following aircraft:[43][44]

Southwest added the Boeing 737-800 to its fleet on April 11, 2012. The aircraft has 175 seats, 38 more than the former largest 737s in Southwest's fleet.[51] All -800s include the Boeing Sky Interior and are configured for ETOPS operations.[52]

After completing the purchase of AirTran Airways, Southwest Airlines acquired AirTran's existing fleet of Boeing 717-200 aircraft. However, Southwest elected not to integrate them into its fleet but instead subleased them to Delta Air Lines, with deliveries then being made through the end of 2015.[53][54] AirTran also operated Boeing 737-700 aircraft at the time of its acquisition by Southwest.

On December 13, 2011, Southwest placed a firm order for 150 Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft, becoming the launch customer for the type. First delivery is expected in 2017.[55] All 737 MAX 8 aircraft will include the Boeing Sky Interior.[55]

On May 15, 2013, Southwest became the launch customer for the Boeing 737 MAX 7 aircraft and now has 30 MAX 7 aircraft on order. The first delivery is expected in 2019.[56]

Southwest's original primary livery was "Desert Sand" (gold, red and orange, with pinstripes of white separating each section of color). The word Southwest appeared in white on the gold portion of the tail. On the original three 737-200s, from June 1971, on the left side of the plane, the word Southwest was placed along the upper rear portion of the fuselage, with the word Airlines painted on the tail N21SW. On the right side, the word Southwest was on the tail, but also had the word Airlines painted on the upper rear portion of the fuselage.N20SW. This was later revised to simply include "Southwest" on both sides of the tail. The airline's Boeing 727-200s, operated briefly in the late 1970s and early 1980s, featured other variations on the livery; one was painted in a shade of ochre instead of gold with stylized titles on the forward fuselage and an "S" logo on the tail, while others bore the standard livery (albeit in metallic gold) with the word "Southwest" moved from the tail to the forward fuselage.[57][58]

Canyon Blue livery used from 2001 to 2014

Southwest introduced the canyon blue livery on January 16, 2001, the first primary livery change in Southwest's then-30-year history. Spirit One was the first plane painted in the canyon blue fleet color scheme. The second livery replaces the former primary color, "Desert Sand", with "Canyon Blue" and changes the Southwest text and pinstripes to gold. The orange and red stripes continued to be used. The pinstripe along the plane was drawn in a more curved pattern instead of the straight horizontal line separating the colors in the original. For aircraft equipped with blended winglets, the blended winglets were painted to include the text Southwest.com. Southwest completed repainting its entire fleet with the new "Canyon Blue" livery in early 2010; however, The Colleen Barrett Classic (N714CB), The Herbert D. Kelleher One (N711HK), & The Metallic Gold One (N792SW), which are Boeing 737–700 aircraft, retain the original "Desert Sand" livery (now referred to as "Desert Gold" by Southwest). These classics wear a simplified version of the livery, lacking the black anti-glare paint below the cockpit windows, white window outlines, and #1 heart logo.

Heart livery used 2014–present

A new livery, named "Heart" and developed with firms GSD&M, Lippincott, VML, Razorfish, and Camelot Communications, was unveiled on September 8, 2014.[59] The new livery uses a darker shade of blue. The orange stripe on the tail is changed to yellow, both the red and yellow stripes are now enlarged in reverse pattern, and the belly of the aircraft is now in blue and features a heart, which has been a symbol for Southwest during its 43-year history. Additionally, the pinstripes are changed to a silver-gray and the Southwest text, now white, has been moved to the front of the fuselage. Lettering is in a font custom designed by Monotype, Southwest Sans. The engines now feature the airline's web address, Southwest.com.

Some Southwest aircraft feature special liveries or are named with special decals. Southwest gives these aircraft special names, usually ending in "One." All special liveries painted prior to Spirit One originally wore the standard Desert Gold, red and orange colors on the vertical stabilizer and rudder. Subsequent special liveries feature tails with the canyon blue livery. All earlier specials, with the exception of Triple Crown One, have been repainted with the Spirit livery tail. Aircraft painted in special liveries have white painted blended winglets with two exceptions: Lone Star One, which was fitted with "Southwest.com" blended winglets in January 2011 after having been fitted with plain white winglets in August 2010, and Warrior One, which added the split scimitar winglet in May 2014. Missouri One was the first special livery to feature a modified version of the Heart tail design, with the red and yellow ribbons shrunk in order to fit the Southwest wordmark as it is unable to be used on the fuselage. Previous special livery aircraft will eventually be repainted with the new tail design, Illinois One being the first.[5]

Named in honor of Charles E. Taylor, the first aviation mechanic, who worked with the Wright brothers and who built the engine used on the Wright Flyer.[64]

N289CT

Colleen Barrett Classic/Heroine of The Heart

2008

Named in tribute to Colleen Barrett, the company's former Executive Vice President. N714CB is painted in Southwest's original livery and N266WN wears a special decal in honor of Colleeen Barrett.[65]

Colleen Barrett Classic (N714CB), Heroine of the Heart (N266WN)

Colorado One

2012

The flag of the state of Colorado is painted across the aircraft. This aircraft is also the 5,000th 737 produced; it has a placard stating that it is the 5,000th 737 on the upper part of the inside entry door frame.[66]

In honor of Fred J. Jones, one of Southwest's original employees.[67] Signature on the nose. It later became Southwest's only 737–200 to be painted in the Canyon Blue livery when it was applied in 2001. The aircraft was retired in 2005 and replaced in the same year with a 737–700 with the same signature on the nose.[citation needed]

N201LV

Green Plane

2009

Served as a test aircraft for new environmentally responsible materials and customer comfort products. When combined, the initiatives equated to weight savings of about five pounds per seat, saving fuel and reducing emissions, along with adding recyclable elements to the cabin interior and reducing waste. The aircraft also included a decal rendition of the Southwest corporate logo in green on the side of the fuselage.[65]

N222WN

Heart One & Heart Two

2014

The first two aircraft painted in the new Southwest Heart livery.

N8642E (One), N8645A (Two)

The Herbert D. Kelleher One

2008

Named in honor of Herbert D. Kelleher, the company's former CEO and Chairman and painted in Southwest's original livery.[68]

N711HK

Illinois One

2008

The flag of the state of Illinois applied across the aircraft. In February 2015, the tail of the aircraft was repainted to the Heart livery tail, but the aircraft fuselage remained the same.[65]

N918WN

Jack Vidal One

1995

First flew on February 27, 1995. It was delivered to Southwest on March 10, 1995.[65]

N601WN

The June M. Morris

1994

In honor of June Morris (founder of Morris Air), Signature and Morris Air logo on the nose.[65][69]

N607SW

Lone Star One

1990

The flag of the state of Texas applied across the aircraft. N352SW was retired on May 16, 2016. The livery was later applied to N931WN on a 737-700 on July 13, 2016 with the Heart tail.[70]

The last aircraft delivered to Southwest in the original livery.[citation needed]

N792SW

Missouri One

2015

The flag of the state of Missouri applied across the aircraft. The first special livery with the Heart tail (not counting Heart One and Heart Two). This aircraft was formerly painted in the Penguin One livery.

To commemorate the 25th year of Southwest Airlines' partnership with SeaWorld, an aircraft was painted with penguins and advertisements for SeaWorld. This aircraft was repainted into the Missouri One livery because Southwest's partnership with SeaWorld has come to an end.[71]

Five aircraft (a Boeing 737-300, two 737-500s, and later two 737-700s) were painted to look like an orca at various times, with advertisements for SeaWorld.1 The 737-300 was retired in 2012, and 737-700s were repainted to the standard Southwest livery following the end of Southwest's partnership with SeaWorld.[71]

N334SW (One), N507SW/N713SW (Two), N501SW/N715SW (Three)

Silver One

1996

25th Anniversary aircraft. Originally polished bare metal, it was later painted silver for easier maintenance. It was then re-painted with a silver metallic paint. This aircraft also featured silver seats, which were replaced to conform with the rest of the fleet for simplicity. Silver One also featured silver heart shaped drink stirrers. Most recently Silver One was repainted in the fleet standard Canyon Blue theme due to the silver paint looking dingy and the company felt it did not fit the company's cheerful, bright personality. The Silver One nose logo remained but the interior was replaced with the fleet standard blue and tan.[72]

N629SW (Original, Silver Paint, Canyon Blue)

Slam Dunk One

2005

Basketball superimposed on side of aircraft and a different NBA team logo on each overhead bin in the cabin, recognizing Southwest's partnership with the National Basketball Association. On October 11, 2010 Southwest Airlines and the National Basketball Association ended their partnership and the aircraft was repainted to standard canyon blue livery.[73]

N224WN

The Spirit of Hope

2004

Dedicated to the Ronald McDonald House. Overhead bins are covered in artwork from kids at a Ronald McDonald House in Washington State.[65]

N443WN

The Spirit of Kitty Hawk

1984

Livery and title introduced the first three Boeing 737–300 aircraft to the Southwest Airlines fleet. All three aircraft (N300SW, N301SW, N302SW) have been retired since. N448WN, a 737-700, was delivered on the 100th Anniversary of the Wright brothers' first flight.[74]

The flag of the state of Tennessee applied across the aircraft. This aircraft honors the airline's 30-year presence in Nashville.[77]

N922WN

Tinker Bell One

2008

Includes the logo of the Tinker Bell movie and a sticker featuring the phrase "Powered by Pixie Dust."[78]

N912WN

Triple Crown One

1997

Livery dedicated to the employees of Southwest, in recognition of Southwest receiving five Triple Crown airline industry awards (best on-time record, best baggage handling, and fewest customer complaints). The overhead bins in Triple Crown One are inscribed with the names of all employees that worked for Southwest at the time, in honor of their part in winning the award. On May 22, 2015, Southwest announced on its blog that N409WN has been repainted in Triple Crown One livery with a special Heart livery tail.[79]

N647SW (previous)

N409WN (current)

Warrior One

2012

Named in salute of the Southwest Employees' Warrior Spirit, and was the first Boeing 737–800 to enter Southwest service. It will keep the Southwest Spirit (Canyon Blue) livery.[80]

N8301J

Notes

^1 Subsequent to the retirement of Southwest's 737-200s, the 737-500s began to stay within a smaller geographic area formerly operated by the 737-200s and as such, Sea World was no longer getting the optimal national exposure from these two aircraft. Consequently, the livery was applied to the two 737-700s in 2005. The artwork on the nose of each aircraft stated "Shamu", and ads for Sea World were displayed on the overhead bins.

Southwest offers free in-flight non-alcoholic beverages and offers alcoholic beverages for sale. Southwest has complimentary peanuts or pretzels on all flights, and most flights have free Nabisco snacks. Southwest is known for colorful boarding announcements and crews that burst out in song, which is quite popular among passengers.[81][82][83][84]

Southwest maintains excellent customer satisfaction ratings; according to the Department of Transportation (DOT) Southwest ranks number one (lowest number of complaints) of all U.S. airlines for customer complaints. Southwest Airlines has consistently received the fewest ratio of complaints per passengers boarded of all major U.S. carriers that have been reporting statistics to the DOT since 1987, which is when the DOT began tracking customer satisfaction statistics and publishing its Air Travel Consumer Report.

Prior to 2007, Southwest boarded passengers by grouping the passengers into three groups, labeled A, B and C. Passengers would line up at their specified letter and board.[85]

In 2007, Southwest modified their boarding procedure by introducing a number. Each passenger receives a letter (A, B or C) and a number 1 through 60. Passengers line up in numerical order within each letter group and choose any open seat on the aircraft as part of Southwest's open seating policy.[85]

A Southwest 737-800 with the evolve interior, succeeded by the heart interior

All 737 Next Generation aircraft are equipped with Wi-Fi, free streaming live television, Beats audio, free eBooks and video on demand. After completing a testing phase that began in February 2009, Southwest announced on August 21, 2009 that it would begin rolling out in-flight wi-fi Internet connectivity via Row 44's satellite-broadband based product. Southwest began adding Wi-Fi to its aircraft in the first quarter of 2010. The airline began testing streaming live television in the summer of 2012 and video on demand in January 2013.[86][87]

On January 17, 2012, Southwest introduced a plan to retrofit its fleet with a new interior. Improvements include a modern cabin design, lighter and more comfortable seats made of eco-friendly products, increased under-seat space, new netted seatback pockets to provide more knee room, a new fixed-wing headrest and improved ergonomics. All Boeing 737-700s, 115 -800s and 78 737-300s have the Evolve Interior.[88] Though not originally planned, because of space saved, Southwest was able to fit an extra row of seats on its planes. All Boeing 737-800s have the Boeing Sky Interior, which features sculpted sidewalls and redesigned window housings, along with increased headroom and LED mood lighting.

On April 15, 2015, Southwest introduced its newest interior, called the Heart Interior. It includes the widest seat to fit a Boeing 737 that provides additional space for passengers and also includes a new galley.[89] The seat is being delivered on all new 737-800s and will be on all 737 Max aircraft.[90] All current evolve equipped 737s will be retrofitted with new bulkheads and bold blue seat cushions to match the look of the heart interior.

Southwest first began to offer a frequent-flyer program on June 20, 1987, calling it The Company Club. Unlike competitors' programs that were based on miles flown, The Company Club credited for trips flown regardless of distance.[91] Southwest Airlines renamed its frequent flyer program Rapid Rewards on April 25, 1996.[92]

The original Rapid Rewards program offered one credit per one-way flight from an origin to a destination including any stops or connections on Southwest Airlines. When 16 credits were accumulated in a 24-month period, Southwest awarded one free round-trip ticket that was valid for 12 months.[93]

On March 1, 2011, Rapid Rewards changed to a points system based on ticket cost. Members earn and redeem points based on a three-tier fare scale multiplier and the cost of the ticket. Changes also included no blackout dates, seat restrictions or expiring credits. It also adds more options to use points.[94][95][96]

Southwest Airlines incidents include 2 deaths (1 non-passenger death on the ground, 1 accidental passenger death in the air) and 7 accidents (including 2 aircraft hull losses). The airline was considered among the 10 safest in the world in 2012.[97]

The aircraft overran the runway upon landing at Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport, now called Bob Hope Airport, Burbank, California, injuring 43.[98] The incident resulted in the dismissal of the Captain. The aircraft was damaged beyond repair.

Passenger Jonathan Burton broke through the cockpit door aboard Southwest Airlines Flight 1763 while en route from Las Vegas to Salt Lake City. In their own defense, the other passengers restrained Burton, who later died of the resulting injuries.[99]

The aircraft skidded off runway after landing at Chicago Midway International Airport in heavy snow conditions. A six-year-old boy died in a car struck by the plane after it skidded into a street. Passengers on board the aircraft and on the ground reported several minor injuries. The aircraft involved, N471WN, became N286WN after repairs.

The flight from Nashville International Airport crash landed at New York's LaGuardia Airport after touching down hard, nose-gear first. "[T]he nose gear gave away so violently that the jet's electronics bay was penetrated by the landing gear with only the right axle still attached."[102] The Boeing 737 traveled 633 metres (2,077 ft) down the runway with its nose scraping, generating a shower of sparks, coming to rest slightly off the runway. Of 150 people on board, 10 were treated for minor injuries at local hospitals.[103][104] Damage to the 13-year-old aircraft, registered N753SW, was substantial[105] and it was written off according to airfleets.net and Southwest Airlines 2013 Annual Report to Shareholders and the captain was fired.[106]

On June 22, 2011, a March 25 recording of an in-flight transmission of Southwest pilot Captain James Taylor apparently unintentionally broadcasting a conversation with his first officer was released to the press. The conversation was peppered with foul language directed at gay, overweight, and older flight attendants. According to Southwest, the pilot was reprimanded, temporarily suspended without pay and received diversity education before being reinstated. Captain Taylor also sent an e-mail apology to all of Southwest's employees, especially the crew members who were criticized.[108][109][110]

^"Southwest Airlines – A Brief History". southwest.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2009. Archived from the original on August 18, 2010. Retrieved January 6, 2011. More than 38 years ago, Rollin King and Herb Kelleher got together to start a different kind of airline.

^"1985 to 1989". swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011. ...Southwest introduces "The Company Club," a frequent flyer program based on total trips flown, regardless of distance...

^"1995 to 1997". swamedia.com. Southwest Airlines Co. 2011. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011. "Rapid Rewards" officially takes the place of "The Company Club" as the new name for our frequent flier program.

^"Rapid Rewards Membership Rules". southwest.com. Southwest Airlines Co. August 2, 2010. Archived from the original on January 11, 2011. Retrieved January 11, 2011. One credit will be given for each Southwest Airlines flight flown.